HANA Center and our partners NAKASEC and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) are outraged by the White House’s release of immigration principles that are cruel, inhumane, anti-family, racist and counterproductive to any good faith efforts to protect our youth.

When the Trump administration heartlessly cancelled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program on September 5th, destabilizing the lives of 800,000 young immigrant Americans, it called upon Congress to act towards a permanent legislative solution. Now, in exchange for what should be a simple act of relief for our young people, the Administration is calling for a boatload of anti-immigrant measures, including: funding for the construction of a wall and further militarizing the U.S.-Mexico border, hiring 10,000 immigration agents, denying federal grants to sanctuary cities, ramping up the E-Verify program, ending sponsorship of extended family members, rejecting asylum claims, and deporting unaccompanied minors seeking refuge from violence in their home countries. Upon rescission of the DACA Program, Trump stated, “I do not favor punishing children.” These actions, however, do just that.

We will not stand for this unconscionable agenda which exploits young people as bargaining chips for anti-immigrant measures that will deeply harm our families and communities. As a growing and diverse nation that strongly values family, the Trump administration’s agenda is Un-American and unacceptable.

Over the last month, HANA Center, NAKASEC, and KRC have been meeting with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, all of whom have all expressed a deep desire to support our young people. We also know that 86% of Americans favor passing a clean DREAM Act. While it is clear the Trump administration is not honoring our democracy by listening to the American people, we must continue to push Congress to work with us to do the right thing. The first step must be a bold rejection of this agenda.

NAKASEC, KRC and HANA Center remain strong in our commitment to organizing and advocating for a clean DREAM Act that is good for all members of our community. For the health and future of this country, our young people must be given the opportunity to thrive.